Bedeutung
Appearing similar to
Kultureller Hintergrund
Norwegians often use 'å se ut som' to avoid being too direct. Instead of saying 'You are tired', they say 'Du ser ut som om du er litt sliten'. This is considered more polite. There is a strong cultural emphasis on 'looking the part' for outdoor activities. Using this phrase to comment on someone's gear is a common social bonding (or judging) ritual. On Norwegian social media, 'å se ut som' is used in memes, often comparing celebrities to random objects or animals. In Norwegian workplaces, 'å se ut til' is used to present findings or trends tentatively before they are confirmed.
The 'Ut' Rule
Always include 'ut' when describing appearance. If you leave it out, you're just 'seeing' something, not 'appearing' as something.
Som vs Som om
Use 'som' before a noun (som en hund) and 'som om' before a sentence (som om det regner).
Bedeutung
Appearing similar to
The 'Ut' Rule
Always include 'ut' when describing appearance. If you leave it out, you're just 'seeing' something, not 'appearing' as something.
Som vs Som om
Use 'som' before a noun (som en hund) and 'som om' before a sentence (som om det regner).
Complimenting
To tell someone they look good, you can just say 'Du ser bra ut!'. You don't always need the 'som'.
Weather Talk
Using 'Det ser ut som...' is the safest way to start a conversation with a stranger in Norway.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to say 'He looks like a doctor'.
Han ______ ______ som en lege.
The full phrase is 'å se ut som'. 'Ser på' means 'looking at'.
Which sentence correctly describes the weather?
Choose the correct one:
You need both 'ut' and 'som' for a complete comparison.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: Hvorfor har du på deg dress? B: Jeg skal i et bryllup. ______ jeg ______ ______ en brudgom?
B is asking if he looks like a groom.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You see dark clouds in the sky.
Dark clouds usually imply rain or snow, not sun or a party.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHan ______ ______ som en lege.
The full phrase is 'å se ut som'. 'Ser på' means 'looking at'.
Choose the correct one:
You need both 'ut' and 'som' for a complete comparison.
A: Hvorfor har du på deg dress? B: Jeg skal i et bryllup. ______ jeg ______ ______ en brudgom?
B is asking if he looks like a groom.
Situation: You see dark clouds in the sky.
Dark clouds usually imply rain or snow, not sun or a party.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, you should say 'Jeg ser glad ut'. Use 'som' only when comparing yourself to a noun (like 'en glad person').
It is neutral. It works in almost every situation, from casual chats to business meetings.
'Ligne på' is usually for permanent physical resemblance (like family), while 'se ut som' can be for temporary things (like clothes or weather).
You say 'Det ser ut som om det skal regne'.
No, for those you use 'lukter som' (smells like) or 'smaker som' (tastes like). 'Se ut som' is strictly visual.
Yes, for the meaning of 'appearing', 'ut' is a mandatory part of the phrasal verb.
Yes, e.g., 'Planen ser ut som en god idé' (The plan looks like a good idea).
The past tense is 'så ut som'. Example: 'Han så ut som en helt' (He looked like a hero).
Yes, often in the form 'Du ser ikke ut!', which meanly implies 'You look terrible/like a mess!'.
Both are used. 'Som' is for nouns/clauses, 'til' is for infinitives (e.g., 'ser ut til å være').
Verwandte Redewendungen
å ligne på
synonymto resemble
å virke som
similarto seem like
å se på
contrastto look at
å se etter
contrastto look for / look after
å fremstå som
specialized formto appear as
